Manager Rob Edwards insists Tranmere should be able to lift themselves out of a faltering start of the season with the group of players already at Prenton Park, rather than resorting to an injection of fresh talent from the loan market.

Rovers’ struggles continued at the weekend with a 2-1 home defeat to Exeter City. They have just two wins to show from nine games so far and left the pitch to a round of booing from some disappointed home fans.

Edwards said: “We have enough good players to win matches at this level.

“I definitely don’t want too many loan players from other people’s clubs. I think we already have too many and we were forced to bring them in by injuries.

“I don’t want to go down that route. I want to work hard on the training ground to improve the players we have got.”

Even so, Edwards acknowledged there was a lot of work to do and issue to address to make Tranmere into a more effective and consistent team.

He talked about squeezing more out of his players in energy and commitment.

“The players need to give a little bit more in terms of knowing what is at stake,” Edwards said. “I keep telling them winning football matches is everything. I need to see the right characters in the dressing room, who realise it is everything. Players sometimes give 95% and that last 5% makes the difference.

“If they can’t do that for me then hopefully I can bring in players who can do that. It’s about giving your best. They all tried (against Exeter) but there’s more in there.”

Edwards added: “I have been disappointed for the whole season in terms of winning matches. I was disappointed in the performance (against Exeter) and

it’s happening too many times.

“We need to find a way of playing which makes more chances is and is more dependable in shape. It does come down to having a physical capability to attack and defend.”

Edwards admitted he was “hugely frustrated” after Tranmere failed to build on the encouraging elements of their performance in a goalless draw at home to Newport County last Tuesday.

“The players are not playing well enough at the moment,” he said. “I am prepared to take the stick and the flak from the fans for not winning games. I will try to take it off the players. But ultimately they need to roll their sleeves up and I did not see enough of that.”

Edwards conceded his former club Exeter deserved the victory on Saturday and said he had spoken afterwards to players he believed performed well for his team.

We looked inexperienced but some of our younger players were the best players on the day,” Edwards said.

“Some years ago I would have gone into the dressing room and gone for a few of them. I will look at the game again and we’ll talk about it on Monday.

“I blame myself first of all. I will look at it and ask: what haven’t I done?

“It’s not easy being a player. I need to support them and help them as long as they give me a bit back.”